tangential motion

[ tan-jen-shuhl moh-shuhn ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. the component of the linear motion of a star with respect to the sun, measured along a line perpendicular to its line of sight and expressed in miles or kilometers per second.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tangential motion¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

But it showed very slow tangential motion for a star this close.

From BBC

This experiment shows that no cyclone can form without some tangential motion in the air entering the area of low-pressure.

From Project Gutenberg

Whether the gradual accumulation of these atoms round a central nucleus from the surrounding space, and thus having their tangential motion of translation converted into vorticose motion, first produced the vortex in the ether; or whether the vortex had previously existed, in consequence of conflicting currents in the ether, and the scattered atoms of space were drawn into the vortex by the polar current, thus forming a nucleus at the centre, as a necessary result of the eddy which would obtain there, is of little consequence.

From Project Gutenberg

Solely by reason of its forward tangential motion.

From Project Gutenberg